The Truth Hurts

The door slid shut behind them with a soft click, sealing off the chamber they had just conquered. The air was thick with anticipation, and even the glowing symbols along the walls seemed to pulse faster, as if aware of their every move. The group stepped forward into a vast underground cavern.

Isagi couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

"Keep your guard up," Fenwick advised, his staff glowing faintly as he scanned the environment.

Lyle, ever the cautious one, tightened his grip on his sword. "I don't like this. Something about this place doesn't sit right."

Asha narrowed her eyes, looking around the cavern. "It feels like… we're walking into a trap."

The cavern floor was smooth, the stone polished like glass. But the walls… the walls were different. Carvings, intricate and ancient, covered every inch of the cavern's surface, telling a story of a civilization long forgotten. Some of the symbols resembled the ones they had seen before glowing blue, glowing with magic, but others were completely unfamiliar.

"What is this place?" Isagi muttered, his voice echoing in the vast space.

"I've read about places like this," Fenwick said quietly. "Ruins of a time before Tenria's recorded history. The first adventurers were said to have traveled through these hidden sanctuaries." He paused, his eyes scanning the carvings. "These ruins… they are magical relics. I'm sure of it."

Isagi frowned. "And if this is some sort of ancient trap, how do we get out?"

Before Fenwick could answer, the cavern seemed to shift, the ground trembling beneath their feet. The air around them felt charged, as if a powerful force was gathering just out of sight.

"Everyone, get ready!" Lyle shouted, stepping forward, his sword raised.

Suddenly, the ground cracked open, revealing a dark, swirling abyss that seemed to reach into infinity. From within the abyss, a figure began to emerge—a figure cloaked in shadows, a being whose presence seemed to suck the light from the cavern itself.

"Who dares to enter my domain?" The voice was deep, resonating with power and ancient magic.

Isagi's hand instinctively went to his sword, his body tense. "Who are you?"

The shadowy figure's form began to solidify, revealing an armored figure with glowing red eyes and long, flowing dark hair. It raised a hand, and the temperature in the cavern dropped dramatically.

"I am Zaroth, the keeper of the Abyss. You have trespassed in my domain, and now… you will pay the price."

"Great. A dark overlord." Asha sighed. "Just once, I'd like a dungeon to not be a death trap."

Zaroth's laugh echoed through the cavern, a sound that sent chills down their spines. "You think you can just walk in and take what you desire?" His hand clenched into a fist, and the abyss around them seemed to grow, the dark magic intensifying.

"You will never leave."

Before anyone could react, Zaroth raised his hand and unleashed a blast of dark magic, sending a shockwave through the cavern. Isagi barely managed to dodge, his magical shield activating just in time to protect him.

"Tch!" Isagi gritted his teeth, his system interface flashing.

[Skill Activated: Flame Dash]

In an instant, he teleported to the side, drawing his sword as he did. His weapon blazed with blue fire, the flames flickering with energy as he charged at Zaroth.

"Flame Edge!"

The sword collided with the dark figure's magic shield, but Zaroth merely smirked, raising a hand to swipe at Isagi. The air warped around his fist, and suddenly, Isagi was sent crashing back against the cavern's wall.

"Power Level: 125"

"Enemy Level: 500"

The numbers flashed before his eyes, and Isagi realized just how much stronger this being was compared to him.

"What… is this guy?" Isagi muttered.

"Don't let him get too comfortable," Fenwick called out, his staff glowing as he began to chant incantations. "He's drawing on the power of the Abyss itself. We need to cut off his source of strength!"

Lyle charged forward, his sword glowing with golden energy. "I'm not going down without a fight!"

But Zaroth merely flicked his fingers, and a wave of dark magic slammed into Lyle, sending him to the ground.

"Pathetic," Zaroth spat.

Isagi clenched his fists, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He wasn't going to let them all die here.

"System, activate 'Ultimate Skill' [Dragon Slayer's Fury]!"

A surge of power erupted from within him, the blue flames on his sword turning into a fiery dragon that wrapped around him. The system interface flashed, confirming his use of a powerful, one-time ability.

"Take this, Zaroth!" Isagi roared, charging forward with everything he had.

But Zaroth only smiled, the shadows around him swirling, ready to consume Isagi's attack.

"You think you can defeat me?" Zaroth sneered. "You have no idea what you're up against."

The battle between light and dark was about to erupt in full force.